Walter Michael Stanton was the youngest son of Andrew Stanton and Maria Whelahan. Walter was born in County Mayo and Maria in County Rosscommon, neighbouring counties in Ireland.

the family Andrew Stanton and Maria Whelahan

Walter takes the name of his great grandfather Walter Staunton from County Mayo.

This branch of the Stanton family arrived in Scotland circa 1850 at the time of the great potato famine. The 1861 Scottish census shows Andrew’s parents Edward Stanton and Peggy [Margaret] Grady residing in North Gray’s Close off the High Street in Edinburgh. Their son Andrew was born in Ireland. In the 1861 Scottish census the family were living now in old Edinburgh City which were no more than slums really. The Irish community settled mainly in the Cowgate, Grassmarket and High Street areas and they worshiped in the Catholic Church in the Cowgate, called St. Patrick’s [St. Pat’s].

By 1861 the family were living in North Gray’s Close, just off the High Street and only five minutes away from the Church. Andrew Stanton was 14 years old and worked as a Dust Carter. Times were hard and children worked from a very early age in whatever employment was around at the time. This census entry shows Edward’s occupation as a Farmer as were all of his family at that time.

Farmer Edward Stanton with wife Margaret Grady and some of their children 1861

1891. This census shows us the age difference between the eldest son Michael and Walter - 20 years

tree from Walter Andrew

Ten years later the family are still residing at 5 North Gray’s Close with four of their children, Patrick Ann, Margaret and Mary. By this time Walter’s father had moved out of the family home.

Walter's Marriage 1911 to Jessie Anderson. Residing now at 84 The Canongate

Walter was born in Edinburgh in 1890 at College Wynd. The youngest of the family whose ages expand more than twenty years.

Walter with his family, wife Jessie and two daughters Maria Whelahan Stanton and Rosina Dawson Stanton - the eldest

Jessie Anderson was the daughter of Mungo Anderson and Rosina Dawson. They also lived in the High Street at No. 2 Covenant’s Close in 1891. Her dad was described as a coal porter and this would have been no mean task in those days. The old tenements of Edinburgh and down the High Street were 5,6,7,8,9,10 stories high and some even higher.

Rosina Dawson Stanton was born in Edinburgh in the year 1911. In turn Rosina married Norman Thomson Wilkie.

Rosina's marriage still in the Parish of St. Patrick's, Cowgate. The family still living in the High Street in old Edinburgh.

Rosina is on the left of the photo. alongside her is sister Mary

The couple emigrated to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. They only had one child.

Mary married Alexander Willis.

Alexander Willis, Mary Whelahan Stanton's husband. His family were originally from England but came to Scotland around the same time as the Stantons in the middle 1850s.

Walter Andrew Stanton in the Army date unknown

Walter's death

Norman has kindly sent us this latest find.

Mrs. Stanton and family

2 Responses to “STANTON, Walter Michael 1890”

Just stumbled upon this page. My grandmother was Rosina she’s the one one th left not the right. That’s my auntie Mary on the right. Sorry just wondering where the information on this page is from? I have most of these pictures just curious how this site obtained them? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Norm Wilkie.

Thanks for your comment Norm. They were forwarded to ourselves from cousins now in Canada. I will sort out Mary and Rosina. But more importantly I would love to hear more from you and wonder if you would like to contribute to the family website. My husband is Denis Madigan Stanton, a direct ancestor of this line. thanks Helen. Please feel free to email me on quilietti@blueyonder.co.uk